Elymus lanceolatus subsp. lanceolatus grows in clay, sand, loam, and rocky soils, and is widely distributed in the western Flora region. It is most likely to be confused with the octoploid Pascopyrum smithii ; it differs morphologically from that species in having more evenly distributed leaves and acute glumes that tend to taper from midlength or higher, rather than acuminate glumes that tend to taper from below midlength. In addition, the midvein of the glumes of E. lanceolatus is straight, whereas that of Pascopyrum smithii -leans- to the side distally.